Northern Marianas detainees placed in Guam facilities

The United States says it is placing detainees from the Northern Marianas in facilities in Guam and Hawaii because of unresolved deficiencies in the medical care at the Saipan prison.

The prison has two housing sections reserved for up to 25 detainees from the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement, yet received only up to two since the start of the year.

The Saipan Tribune reports that the CNMI Department of Corrections wants to end its agreement with the department on the use of the prison complex.

Representative Tony Sablan says the CNMI cannot force the department to place its detainees at the prison knowing that deficiencies in medical care, among other things, still exist.

The department says it is committed to ensuring the welfare of safety of all those in its custody.